Virgin Australia flights to Doha now on sale

[Jusrus]

Just sharing back my experience trying to secure a Y seat on my booking for VA2 (Doha to Sydney). On contacting VA, the aisle seats (yes, all of them) were ‘blocked for accessibility requirements’ - so I had the choice of a middle seat or aisle. I ended up in a window on Row 37. There doesn’t seem to be any preferential seating access for WPs.

Oh dear. 2 of my 3 are in business but I’ll be pretty unhappy if I can’t get an aisle in economy 6 months out.

 

[I love to travel]

Oh dear. 2 of my 3 are in business but I’ll be pretty unhappy if I can’t get an aisle in economy 6 months out.

All aisles are all blocked on expertflyer in Y

 

[theice]

Has anyone had luck booking rows 1-7 on these flights as reward J? Seems like there’s only rows 7 or 11 available to select. Have HUCA’d multiple times for the same answer.

 

[Secco]

Has anyone had luck booking rows 1-7 on these flights as reward J? Seems like there’s only rows 7 or 11 available to select. Have HUCA’d multiple times for the same answer.

I had to book over the phone because I needed to cancel another flight first. On VA8 in Dec 25 the person on the phone was able to select seats 1K and 3 K for me.

 

[im.daniel]

Has anyone had luck booking rows 1-7 on these flights as reward J? Seems like there’s only rows 7 or 11 available to select. Have HUCA’d multiple times for the same answer.

On Expertflyer, VA Plats have the choice of all window seats (A/B/J/K) from Row 1 onwards. D/E/F/G seats from Row 1-6 are blocked.

 

[bernardblack]

On Expertflyer, VA Plats have the choice of all window seats (A/B/J/K) from Row 1 onwards. D/E/F/G seats from Row 1-6 are blocked.

I think the centre seats are locked as standard on QR native flights, too; it's something to do with keeping them for couples and families.

The rear-facing true window seats are great, though. 1K and 3K should do nicely, @Secco.

 

[theice]

I think the centre seats are locked as standard on QR native flights, too; it's something to do with keeping them for couples and families.

The rear-facing true window seats are great, though. 1K and 3K should do nicely, @Secco.

Yeah was hoping we could snag 3 E and F as a couple but no luck. Guess we’ll have to wait a bit.

 

[zainman]

Just called Virgin to get the seat assignments, very smooth, took less than 3 minutes and got the seats I wanted. Looks like they've ironed out any issues?

 

[Bagpuss]

Just called Virgin to get the seat assignments, very smooth, took less than 3 minutes and got the seats I wanted. Looks like they've ironed out any issues?

Did you get an aisle seat in economy? That's where the issues seem to be.

 

[zainman]

Did you get an aisle seat in economy? That's where the issues seem to be.

No. I'm in J so all seats are aisle seats but looking at seats.aero it doesn't look like all aisle seats are blocked?

 

[Secco]

I think the centre seats are locked as standard on QR native flights, too; it's something to do with keeping them for couples and families.

The rear-facing true window seats are great, though. 1K and 3K should do nicely, @Secco.

Yes, we both wanted rear facing seats, so were happy to be one seat away from each other.

 

[Cynl]

I have a flight in Y later in the year with my partner. What are the best seats to choose? Would it be 19F/G or 25F/G

 

[Rebus]

I need to book 4 x VA Y reward seats early next year from Europe to MEL and am checking each day for the date I want to become available. As it stands the only way to get 4 seats on the route I want will be on a routing which has the DOH - MEL leg on the VA wet lease service VA8.

My concerns are:

1. The fact that this service has not yet received government approval.
2. The likely hassle of securing 4 seats together (we are traveling with two young kids) with all Y aisle seats seeming to be blocked to VA.

Re. point 1. I am aware that if the service is not approved, or if the flight is pulled due to poor loads, that I will be offered a refund or alternative flights. A points refund won't be much good if I am then unable to secure any reward seats at short notice during peak season.

Re. point 2. Has anyone thus far managed to get allocated an aisle seat in Y on these wet- lease services by either VA or QR? FWIW I am VA Platinum.

All thoughts/comments appreciated.

 

[henrus]

The fact that this service has not yet received government approval.

As you've noted they have court enforceable policy that the ACCC point in place which means they have to offer an alternative flight as the first instance and then the passenger can pick a refund if they don't like the rebooking. This is detailed on page 2 of this document:

https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/public-registers/documents/Court%20enforceable%20undertakings%20provided%20by%20Applicants%20-%2028.11.24%20-%20PR%20-%20AA1000679%20Virgin%20Qatar.pdf?ref=0&download=y

What this means is that if they don't end up operating you'll be rebooked without a problem but could also pick the full refund if you'd prefer.

Regarding the aisle seats, it appears this has now been fixed as on expert flyer I'm with VA Plat number attached I'm seeing all seats in row 29 to 44 as an option except the exit row. I guess you could always call Virgin to confirm this prior to booking.

 

[Rebus]

As you've noted they have court enforceable policy that the ACCC point in place which means they have to offer an alternative flight as the first instance and then the passenger can pick a refund if they don't like the rebooking. This is detailed on page 2 of this document:

https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/public-registers/documents/Court%20enforceable%20undertakings%20provided%20by%20Applicants%20-%2028.11.24%20-%20PR%20-%20AA1000679%20Virgin%20Qatar.pdf?ref=0&download=y

What this means is that if they don't end up operating you'll be rebooked without a problem but could also pick the full refund if you'd prefer.

Regarding the aisle seats, it appears this has now been fixed as on expert flyer I'm with VA Plat number attached I'm seeing all seats in row 29 to 44 as an option except the exit row. I guess you could always call Virgin to confirm this prior to booking.

Thanks for your input @henrus . Would your interpretation be that this policy would be applicable irrespective of how the tickets had been purchased i.e. cash or points?

I don't have an Expert Flyer subscription. Does EF give you the option to view available seats based on your status?

 

[ben95]

Would your interpretation be that this policy would be applicable irrespective of how the tickets had been purchased i.e. cash or points?

yes

 

[henrus]

Thanks for your input @henrus . Would your interpretation be that this policy would be applicable irrespective of how the tickets had been purchased i.e. cash or points?

End of the day if it got to that point it’d be up to the court to decide but given they don’t make reference to cash/redemption I’d expect them both to be treated the same and I’d also expect the ACCC/courts to agree on that.

I don't have an Expert Flyer subscription. Does EF give you the option to view available seats based on your status?

A free account will allow you to view a limited number of seat maps per day via the seat alert feature. Also in the manage account section you can add frequent flyer details which sometimes makes a difference.

 

[Bagpuss]

Just called Virgin to get the seat assignments, very smooth, took less than 3 minutes and got the seats I wanted. Looks like they've ironed out any issues?

I just tried again. As I'm on a Qatar codeshare they now say Qatar will do the seat selection or allocated at the airport.

Obviously, Qatar state to contact Virgin Australia.

 

[Rebus]

I just tried again. As I'm on a Qatar codeshare they now say Qatar will do the seat selection or allocated at the airport.

Obviously, Qatar state to contact Virgin Australia.

Are you on one of the new VA primary coded flights? e.g. VA1/2

 

[Rebus]

I found this link on the Trade Portal section of the QR website:
Seat selection for Virgin Australia flights